Today, preparing a masterpiece of culinary art to impress your loved ones is not difficult. A large number of modern equipment is presented in stores that will help facilitate this process. Now there is no problem in a short time to prepare mashed potatoes for the child or cut the ingredients for the salad. To do this, it’s best to use tools such as blender and chopper. Each of them has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Functional features of the blender and chopper
The blender was specially designed in order to prepare various mashed potatoes, emulsions, as well as whip mousses, mix ingredients for drinks and sauces. In addition, a function such as crushing ice in a blender makes it a very popular and popular equipment among modern youth who like to set up various parties and meetings with friends. Translated from English, a blender means a mixer, which is fully confirmed by its functional features.
There are 2 types of blenders that differ in type of construction:
- Stationary. The equipment has a stable housing, inside of which there is an engine. A high narrow container, called a bowl, is attached to the top, at the bottom of which there is a special knife-blade. This type of blender is easy to use, because during operation it does not need to be held in your hands and exerted effort to process products. Capacity can be made of plastic or glass. It must be filled, closed with a special cover and only then run. This type of blender is designed for various sauces and drinks, which can immediately be poured into cups or glasses. In addition, some models can easily handle mixing batter.
Figure 1 Stationary Blender
- Submersible. A blender of this type consists of one blade blade attachment. In some models it can be changed to various nozzles. For example, to grind greens or chop ice. The main advantage of the kitchen equipment is its compact size and interchangeable nozzles. It does not take up much space and is easy to fit even in the smallest kitchen. Despite its miniature size, this equipment has a fairly high power, which allows it to cope with the task in the shortest possible time. You can use a blender in any dish. The main thing is that she has high sides or walls. This will help prevent food pieces from splashing. In addition, this blender can be used in case of cooking small portions. The main disadvantage of such equipment is that during operation it must be constantly held in hands.
Figure 2 Hand blender
The chopper, in turn, was created for slicing whole foods or large hotel pieces into smaller ones, which are then easier to cook or add to various salads. A very convenient and functional thing for housewives in the kitchen, which will significantly reduce cooking time. The equipment can be configured in different ways and grind products from a coarse degree of cutting to small.
Figure 3 Chopper
Unlike a blender, the chopper cannot make puree or emulsion from products. He only cuts into pieces that can be fried, cooked, make a salad. That is, we can say that the chopper is remotely similar to a simple grater, only performs its functions much faster and better.The main characteristics that the equipment possesses:
- Cutting ingredients for salads, side dishes, desserts, which occurs in the shortest possible time. At the same time, all the pieces are the same size and shape, which will give a beautiful and finished look to the finished dish;
- quick chopping of all ingredients for salads;
Figure 4 Cutting vegetables for salad using a chopper
- cutting fruits, which subsequently create beautiful and mouth-watering desserts;
- crushing nuts for use in home baking;
Figure 5 Chopping nuts with a chopper
- making mayonnaise;
- chopping meat to process it into minced meat.
Figure 6 Cutting meat with a chopper
Some grinder models have special nozzles that can perform additional functions. For example, whipping the dough. Therefore, before acquiring any modern equipment for the kitchen, you first need to decide what tasks it should cope with.
Figure 7 Chopper nozzles
Design differences
First of all, the difference between a blender and a grinder lies in the method of cutting products. He does it much thinner and more accurately using finer slicing. It becomes indispensable in cases where you need to quickly mashed. For example, in the morning to cook a child a breakfast of various fruits.
The chopper can also cut the food into small enough pieces, but it’s not possible to make mashed potatoes. It is very convenient to use it in order to cut various vegetables and fruits for salads or other dishes. It allows you to significantly save time for housewives.
In addition, the distinctive features of the blender and chopper are their design features. In the first case, the knife with the motor are on the bottom, and in the second - on the top. The bowl in both cases can be made of plastic or glass.
Before you purchase something from the kitchen equipment, you need to pay attention to important technical specifications. First of all, this refers to power. The higher it is, the faster and better the products will be crushed. Powerful blenders and choppers easily cope with a variety of soft and hard products. Such models usually cost a little more. But if you want to have really high-quality equipment at home, then it's worth it.
In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to the number of speeds. They depend directly on the power of the device. The simplest models usually have 1 to 3 speeds. But the more powerful the product, the greater its potential. Therefore, you need to choose equipment that has as many speeds as possible.
Some modern models have additional options that can adjust the desired speed and pace of the kitchen appliance. These include:
- Turbo mode. The device operates at the maximum permissible speed. Helps to quickly switch from minimum to maximum.
- Pulse. The equipment operates with stops that last several seconds. It will help to chop solid products.
- Speed adjustment. This options will adjust the operation of the knife in each case. The speed does not switch in steps, but very smoothly.
These parameters will help determine what functions a blender or chopper should have, so that it can become a real and faithful assistant for every housewife.
What is better to choose: chopper or blender?
Their functions are very similar to each other, but you also need to know how the blender is fundamentally different from the chopper. The main difference lies in the final result of slicing the products. That is, after using the blender, a homogeneous mass or puree is obtained, and after the grinder, pieces are cut into different degrees. Typically, a blender comes with many different attachments that will help it perform much more functions.
Figure 8 Blender with nozzles
Both types of kitchen appliances are easy to clean.The main thing is to remove the plug from the outlet, that is, disconnect the equipment from the power supply. If this is not done, then you can cause significant harm to your health.
Before you opt for a blender or chopper, you need to decide for what purposes in the future they will be used. For example, if a family has a small child, then it is better to opt for a blender, in which it will be convenient to make various mashed potatoes. In addition, the equipment will help to make an interesting soup puree or used for cocktails and smoothies.
Figure 9 Smoothies made with a blender
For families where everyone is already adults, you can purchase a chopper. With its help, you can quickly cut absolutely any ingredients for salads, delight loved ones with fruit assortments and slices, as well as get the same sized pieces of food for subsequent frying or baking to make unusual side dishes.
Figure 10 Slicing Salad Ingredients
Whatever equipment is chosen, when using it, it is very important to observe safety precautions so as not to harm yourself or others. Children should not pick up any of the appliances, as they have sharp knives.
